When we do it again, I want to go existing I think FOR SURE!

We built our house about 2 years ago....and I am SOOOOO jealous of anyone that has gates, and concreted entertaining areas, and trees, and retaining walls etc etc.
These extra things cost THOUSANDS of dollars, so unless you can afford to cost these into your mortgage, or have some spare cash lying around, you have to get used to living in the dirt while you do everything bit by bit. That being said, we are getting there, but have to do all of it ourselves (well except the concreting- we have been getting tradies for that). It takes up every spare cent that we have.
There is also a great feeling of accomplishment when you get things done, but all the same I think in many ways it is much cheaper to move into somewhere that has everything already done for you I would love a holiday instead of a few more slabs of concrete